Travel can often come with unexpected disruptions, as passengers on a Delta Air Lines flight experienced firsthand on June 13th. In an unexpected turn of events, a Boeing 767-300, operating as Delta flight 520 from New York’s JFK to Los Angeles’ LAX, was forced to divert to Salt Lake City due to a maintenance issue. As if a diversion wasn’t enough, the passengers encountered another surprise when an emergency slide malfunctioned and deployed at the gate after landing. This incident not only affected the journey of the passengers but also led to an airline employee getting caught in the deploying slide. In this news article, we explore the series of events, how they were handled, and the aftermath of this unusual flight disruption.
We’ll take a look at some vocabulary first before we get started.
Vocabulary
- Aircraft (/’eərˌkrɑːft/): A vehicle that can fly, such as an airplane or helicopter.
- Divert (/daɪˈvɜːrt/): To change the direction or use of something, or change the purpose of something or someone.
- Malfunction (/mælˈfʌŋkʃən/): A failure to function in a normal or satisfactory manner.
- Deploy (/dɪˈplɔɪ/): To move soldiers or equipment to a place where they can be used when they are needed.
- Gate (/ɡeɪt/): The area in an airport where passengers are able to get on or off a plane.
- Inflate (/ɪnˈfleɪt/): To fill (something) with air or gas so that it becomes larger.
- Discharge (/dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒ/): To allow someone officially to leave somewhere, especially a hospital or a law court.
- Priority (/praɪˈɔːrəti/): Something that is more important than other things and should be dealt with first.
- Apologize (/əˈpɑːlədʒaɪz/): To tell someone that you are sorry for having done something that has caused them problems or unhappiness.
- Investigate (/ɪnˈvɛstɪɡeɪt/): To examine a crime, problem, statement, etc. carefully, especially to discover the truth.
- Passenger (/ˈpæsɪndʒər/): A person who is traveling in a vehicle but is not driving it, flying it, or working on it.
- Transfer (/trænsˈfɜːr/): To move someone or something from one place, vehicle, person, or group to another.
- Maintenance (/ˈmeɪntənəns/): The work needed to keep something in good condition.
Collocations:
- Travel disruption (/ˈtrævəl dɪsˈrʌpʃən/): An unexpected event that causes a delay or cancellation in someone’s planned travel arrangements.
- Maintenance issue (/ˈmeɪntənəns ˈɪʃuː/): A problem that arises in the upkeep or repair of something, often a piece of machinery or equipment, like an aircraft.
- Emergency slide (/ɪˈmɜːrdʒənsi slaɪd/): A slide made of strong, durable material that is deployed for passengers to slide down and evacuate an aircraft quickly in case of an emergency.
- Full investigation (/fʊl ɪnˌvɛstɪˈɡeɪʃən/): A thorough and comprehensive examination of a situation or event to discover the facts or truth about it.
Now with vocabulary in hand, let’s have a read.
On June 13, 2023, passengers on a Delta Air Lines flight experienced two travel disruptions. The Boeing 767-300, originally flying from New York-JFK to Los Angeles-LAX, was forced to divert to Salt Lake International Airport due to a maintenance issue. While on the ground, the same aircraft suffered an accidental deployment of its emergency slide at the gate1.
Delta clarified that the plane's diversion was not related to the slide malfunction, which was an independent incident that occurred after landing. During the slide's unexpected deployment, an airline employee was caught inside the plane. The individual was taken to a hospital for evaluation and later discharged. Following the incident, Delta expressed its regret for the experience the passengers on flight 520 had undergone and emphasized that customer and crew safety is their top priority. The airline is now conducting a full investigation into the incident1.
Following the slide deployment, the plane was taken out of service. The 168 passengers on board were then transferred to a different aircraft and were flown to Los Angeles later that day1.
The unexpected turn of events on Delta flight 520 serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of travel. Even with the most meticulous planning and preparation, unforeseen circumstances can arise, requiring quick thinking and swift action from both crew and passengers. Fortunately, in this instance, no severe injuries were reported, and all passengers were safely transported to their destination, albeit with some delay.
As we navigate through the complex world of aviation, it’s crucial to understand the terminology and concepts that define it. So why not put your knowledge to the test? Try out the quiz above to see how well you’ve understood the vocabulary and key details of the story. It’s a great way to check your comprehension and perhaps learn something new. Happy learning!
Quiz
#1. What does the term ‘divert’ mean in this context?
#2. What does the phrase ‘taken out of service’ mean in the context of the airplane’s status after the incident?
#3. What action did Delta take after the slide deployed?
#4. What happened to an airline employee during the emergency slide deployment?
#5. What unexpected event occurred at the gate after the plane landed?
#6. Why was the flight diverted to Salt Lake International Airport?
#7. What does ‘discharged’ mean in relation to the hospitalized airline employee?
#8. What does ‘deploy’ mean in the context of the emergency slide incident?
#9. How many passengers were on the flight?
#10. What type of airplane was involved in the incident?
Results
You made it through safe! Excellent work!
That was a tough one. As a safety measure, re-read the article and give it another try!
